Ubisoft CEO Speaks on Takeover

Ubi Powerless to Stop Hostile Action

from Stardock Forums
Ubisoft CEO, Yves Guillemot, admitted today that his company would be powerless to stop a full blown Electronic Arts takeover, which seems to have started late December 2004 when EA snapped up a chunk of Ubisoft stock. According to Gamespot, the CEO who once said he would never let the takeover take place, told a French paper that "we are not safe from a hostile action from Electronic Arts, which it would be difficult to block if they make a genuinely interesting offer. We have a few elements allowing us not to be too nervous."

Guillemot further explained that because Ubisoft has "clearly demonstrated its value to industry players" any takeover price would have to be high, especially if EA was to win over the company's stock holders. Guillemot did not go as far as to say that a sale is impossible because if someone is "willing to pay for those at their right price, then we will choose what is best for our shareholders and our employees."

Do you want to see EA takeover Ubisoft?

Source: Gamespot Article
2,671 views 6 replies
Reply #1 from Stardock Forums Top
Wow. So long as it doesn't adversely impact Heroes of Might & Magic V, I'm not sure I care.
Reply #2 from Stardock Forums Top
I agree I am very excited for the new game. Check out the site they just put up.
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Reply #3 from Stardock Forums Top
nooooooo...

I remember when they bought Bullfrog (Syndicate Wars, Populous, Dungeon Keeper). From this day on, it never produced anything while before it was inventing a new awesome game from scratch each time it created. From bringing material-bringer for next gaming generations to nihil.

Someone said to me that EA is only corporate processing power with lots of PR. Maybe. I don't want EA to destroy more of gaming's genuine spirit, especially not UbiSoft.

The bigger you are, the less risks are worth it. Is it that UbiSoft is big enough to not be worth risking? BullFrog just produced NOTHING since, and UbiSoft might be restricted to a "game factory".
Reply #4 from Stardock Forums Top
That because EA shut down Bullfrog many years ago now, after Peter Molyneux left. I agree, that was a big loss.
Reply #5 from Stardock Forums Top
I still say killing Westwood was the biggest blow they have dealt me. I <3 C&C. Not to mention I really like Ubisoft and wouldn't want to see them go away or have all of their franchises made into yearly productions like lots of EA's are.
Reply #6 from Stardock Forums Top
Ahh Bullfrog.. I loved Dungeon Keeper.. what a great game.